"You mean you want to have another match?" Shiller asked while sipping his soy milk.
"That's right, there's been a feeling of winning without really winning. I hadn't expected the one to defeat Batman was not us, but Constantine instead," Stark shook his head and said, "I guess Batman must be really unconvinced. Though he gained quite a few benefits from it, dealing with someone as despicable as Constantine must have made him furious."
"I also think we can have another round," Reed chimed in, "But let's not have such a free-for-all battle. Too many elements get mixed in, which isn't good. Although reality may be more complex than exercises, aren't we supposed to be doing specialized training now? It's best when there are restrictions."
"What do you think would be a good format?" Shiller asked.
Wanda pondered for a moment and then said, "Do you remember the Super Hero Kill game we played?"
"You mean that card game?"
"I think that format is quite good; it can greatly train intelligence."
"But in that case, everything relies on strategy," Steve furrowed his brows, "Simply competing in combat strength isn't enough, and pure intellect isn't enough either. Isn't there a balanced combination of both?"
Shiller thought for a moment and said, "I'll go and discuss with them; maybe we can come up with a new mode."
The day went by quickly. Palm trees swayed in the sunset. They finished dinner during the twilight blues, set up tents on the beach, and slept inside them.
The next morning, Shiller pulled out a heap of food supplies and borrowed a noodle shop's kitchen to make breakfast. After eating, they prepared to explore the jungle. Once the kids were fully equipped, the group set out towards the mountain in the middle of the island.
Though it was a man-made island, the jungle was convincingly done. A small path led to the mountain top, which lacked some challenges but was perfectly suited for a family hike.
The mountain was not tall, and they climbed up in just over an hour. Standing atop, one could practically take in the entire island at a glance. The sky was a pure blue, and the sea showed a jelly-like green beneath the white sandy beach. The warm breeze gently brushed past, carrying a faint salty scent.
By noon that day, the absent people finally arrived. Strange came first, followed by Loki. Strange sighed and said, "I saw the diving video you sent. My God, how could you dare go that deep?"
"Just went for a look, surely you didn't expect giant octopuses to be there?" Shiller shrugged and said, "They said they want another match..."
Strange initially didn't react, and once he realized what he meant, his eyes widened and he said, "How much time has passed? Are these people crazy? Even if they are, Batman isn't. How could such exercises be done every day?"
"It's not like the previous free-for-all battle," Shiller shook his head, "they want to set a more balanced set of rules and have a combat like a game under restrictions."
Strange furrowed his brows and said, "Firstly, how could this possibly be balanced? Are you going to lower Batman's intelligence? Or restrict others from using superpowers?"
"Definitely can't be such restrictions. I'm still thinking about it." Shiller hadn't finished speaking when Peter came over and said, "I have a good idea, do you want to hear it, Doctor?"
"What's the idea?"
"We can introduce a brand-new PVP mode in the Battleworld and then form teams to participate."
"That's how I was thinking too, but how should we carry out the in-game combat? Like New Earth before, limit it to combat within a specific area?"
"No, I think that way is still too free, and if we limit the area, it might not be fair to some people. We could play Wizard Chess."
"Wizard Chess?"
"Yes, have you played chess? Turn those chess pieces into superheroes, some people fight on the board, others command from behind. When needed, both sides could swap positions, and then add some other conditions, wouldn't that work?"
Good heavens, Shiller thought, isn't a moving pieces version of chess just Wizard Chess? But it does sound promising. Because you could perfectly combine Peter and Wanda's suggestions into a Super Hero Chess.
Superheroes' movement and combat would be limited by points, but their abilities wouldn't be weakened; instead, they'd be turned into skills or cards. Each turn entails decision-making on which skill to release, how to move, and how to coordinate as a team, which tests team collaboration greatly. And if direct confrontation happens, real-time combat could be conducted, providing training for combat power as well.
And as Peter mentioned, a person fighting upfront with another commanding from behind adds even more interest. Shiller could already imagine that once this mode launched, opponents would quickly switch from roasting foes to roasting teammates.
If a swap mechanism joined in, it would be even more chaotic. Shiller dared not imagine if Superman commanded Batman, what confusion would ensue. What if it were Reed and Stark?
Also, superheroes are divided into factions: Intelligence type, innate superpower type, mutant type, magic type, and technology type. We can totally target these and add entries and faction synergies, which will test teamwork even more.
Of course, if we add a terrain system, resource system, and some PVE system, you'll play this game without a word.
Moreover, this mode can also sell season passes. Initially, only the normal maps are unlocked. If you want to play more maps, you have to buy a season pass. And if we add a map lottery system, that would make even more money.
After stabilizing in the Battleworld, revenue actually decreased. Although the universe administrators don't really need the materials submitted by the superheroes, recycling these materials helps suppress cosmic entropy, making it easier for them to do balance adjustments, so they don't want revenue to decline, naturally stimulating consumption is needed.
Although PVE mode is still okay, PVP has always been the main revenue generator, especially since this mode can train some people's command skills. Those with extra money won't miss it.
However, Shiller was in no hurry to get it done. He just sent his ideas to Lucifer. After all, no matter how great the idea, it needs to be executable by the program. The biggest problem is limiting the abilities of those extremely powerful superpower users, otherwise, if one gets mad and breaks through the restrictions, it'll be a mess.
Having an idea, Shiller started discussing and refining it with others. Adding more elements isn't necessarily better; too many can be hard to manage. So first list the possibilities, then simplify from there.
"If we want to add real-time combat, we can't turn abilities into skills; otherwise, it becomes turn-based. It's best to preserve basic attacks and one ability, and turn the others into cards, which would be more fair," Stark said.
"For basic attacks, we can create different effects based on each superhero's characteristics," Peter, who obviously had experience, said. "For example, Iron Man can have two states: one without the mecha and one with the mecha…"
"What nonsense are you talking?" Stark said. "Can I take a hit from someone without the mecha?"
"You might have less health, but you wouldn't be killed in one hit," Peter said. "We can't design instant-kill skills; otherwise, it's not balanced. Those with weak physical defense can be designed with fragile bodies and stronger cards. Those with stronger bodies should have card restrictions."
"What if someone is strong in both body and abilities?" Wanda asked.
"Then limit movement or attack frequency, or use negative states for suppression," Peter said.
"I think we shouldn't pursue balance," Reed suggested. "Superhero abilities are inherently different; they vary in power. If we restrict everyone to the same level, it doesn't achieve any training effect. Stark wouldn't be stupid enough to fight without a battlesuit, right?"
"I think we can do this," Shiller said. "Don't allow two very strong people to team up. It's best if one has combat power, and the other has intelligence, with periodic forced switches. Even if one is very strong, if they switch to another person, they'll stumble."
This proposal got approval from most of the people. Natasha then asked, "How do we judge who's strong and who's weak?"
"I think everyone will naturally do that," Peter said. "This game mode requires command. If two people with strong bodies and simple minds play, they definitely can't win the game, so there must be an intelligence type. And to compensate for the intelligence type's combat level, you'll naturally pick someone strong in fighting."
"What if someone is both smart and can fight?"
"Then I don't think they would participate in this game," Shiller said. "The game's rewards won't be that high. If they're already omnipotent, there's no need to waste time. Most people participate in this game to train teammates and gather intelligence."
"Exactly, this strategic game best reveals a person's decision-making tendencies. It's an excellent behavioral science analysis sample. Batman definitely won't miss it," Jarvis said. "Additionally, I believe he intends to train the Justice League's command abilities. After all, through the previous war, he should have realized that Multiverse wars aren't something that can be handled alone; improving collective combat skill is paramount."
"Okay, then who would you team up with?" Shiller asked.
"The two of us," Wanda pointed at Jarvis, then said, "He'll strategize, and I'll do the fighting. That's the best way."
"For me... Although I think I'm quite omnipotent, if I really can't wear the battle armor in the early stages, I must find a defensive type hero to help block early damage. I choose Steve," Stark snapped his fingers and said.
"Then I'll go with Bucky," Natasha said, "In this game, two well-balanced abilities are stronger than two specialized ones."
Shiller thought about who he would choose, but as he kept thinking, he realized he really had no need to participate in this game. All of Shiller's personality traits are from the same person, so teaming with them is unnecessary. And teaming with others doesn't seem meaningful either.
Suddenly, a candidate flashed in Shiller's mind. His combat ability indeed needed some practice.
Just then, Lucifer replied with a message, saying, "The program can handle it. Come over now, and let's discuss the specific rules."
"No problem, on my way."